Wednesday, 27 March 2013

DOHA renewed single-mindedness among women, either unwanted or an active choice is a complex problem. At a recent meet organized by the Sidra Medical and Research Center in Doha, an official of the health called the growing number of cases of delayed first time marriages that of course in delayed pregnancies among women here, a public health problem.

The issue is one of the objectives of the national strategy for development to reduce the number of Qatari women who are unmarried aged 30-34 with 15 percent.

To date, about two-thirds of the women in Qatar both marry late or never get married, a report on the social and Economic Survey Research Institute (SESRI) certified.

A count of the 2010 released by the Qatar Statistics Authority also reported that more than 29 percent of women in the age group 25-34 had never been married, while never married women in the age group of 35-44 have increased from 13 percent in 2004 to 15 percent in 2010.

Huge improvement in the educational profile of women in Qatar, their greater participation in the labour market, the high cost of weddings, impact of the media and the sharp decline in the ratio of men against women all contribute to this trend, the study added SESRI.

Amidst all the ' alarming ' figures seems to be a wonder, how these women who are the subject of these statistics, really feel? Fatma, a 28-year-old Qatari and a member of the National Women Team Qatar screens, says she is not feeling pressured to sit down and start a family anytime soon.

"I'm turning 29 this year. But I'm still not thinking about getting married now. Life is good and one is good. Many of my friends have to stop playing professional screens when they get married. Maybe I will also get married in the future, but it's still a little too early for me to plan. I honestly don't know when. It's not that I'm too busy with travel during matches. I'm just enjoying my life right now. Marriage is something that I am still not seriously considering at this time, "said Fatma.

As a professional Qatari schermer has Fatma spent time traveling abroad for competitions.

She's been to the GCC and Arab countries and also to distant countries as Japan, Korea and the Philippines to represent Qatar in fencing tournaments. Currently, they aimed at young girls learn how to do screens.

They also plan to go back to the University wants her degree in mass communications next year.

Anne (not real name), is a 31-year-old African expatriate and a media professional in Doha, who has always dreamed of walking down the aisle. She remains, however, one without perspective for marriage in sight because they also stipulates about ' don't settle for anything less. "

She said: "I have made up my mind that I will never settle for less. I need a person who at least two years older than me, someone from my own ethnic group and financially stable. If I plan to get married in Qatar, should I get from someone who is financially stable, so that he is able to meet the needs of our family will be. We need money for school fees of children because education here is expensive. I need someone who shares the same faith which I also have. I am always dreaming of walking down the aisle, but until now I have several proposals rejected because they don't meet my standards.

And even if that remaining one means I will not settle for less ".

Rullette, a 44-year-old Filipino expatriate living as a caregiver of hospitality for a real estate firm here, said: "I was 25 years old when I was first involved in a romantic relationship. The second was in 2008 when I came to Qatar. But both did not end in marriage. I don't think it is because of my career that I remain one.

It's more about the lack of options.

Number one on my list is that we need to share the same faith. And at my age now, I would also like to someone who is better than me in terms of finance, career, as well as spiritual maturity. However, I'm completely happy with my life now because I can say for myself that I have my one year in maturity and grow in my faith. I have the pressure to get married, which I only in my late 20s experienced overcome.

Now, I'm fully satisfied and there are so many things I still would like to do. I remember those years when I was wondering why my friends were getting married and I was not, I prayed for my desire to marry until age 45. So I am completely satisfied with the way my life because this is what I also have prayed for ".

Rinsy, a 28-year-old Indian expatriate who works as prices executive for DHL, now feels pressure to get married. Her parents are currently on the look-out for a suitable partner for her. She said, "I waited until now because I had to concentrate on my career. In the past, I have also rejected proposals, especially when I felt that the person is not a good match for me. What I am looking for a man? I just want someone with a good behavior, someone not suppressing a woman but respect her as his equal. I need not really a rich man.

Someone who deserves an average income is fine. "But at least he deserves like me, because sometimes maybe there ego problems between us if I marry someone with a salary lower than mine".

Sarah (name changed), a 24-year-old Arab-Canadian expatriates came to Doha last year. They married at the age of 20 and was divorced on 24. She said, "right now, we do not really mean that there is a perfect age to get married. We can not guess girls to get married so young because now things have changed, and girls like to get educated and they want to be more independent.

A lot of marriages break up also because people don't really willing to get married as young are now. I think it is good that the Qatari government is addressing the main causes of the problems of the late marriages. It's good that they're not really just the girls accuse to postpone it.

They have to realize what is it that really makes postponed girls and they are trying to address these causes. I think the most important thing about this is to prepare for the marriage of girls and boys. There should be education classes or some programs where you actually prepare them. Marrige is actually a major change in one's life and you have to be prepared for it. So if people are better prepared and they in financial state, why not go for the marriage. "

DOHA QATAR Petroleum (QP) Oil Spill & Emergency Response Department performed a demonstration of its oil spill response equipment and strategies for 45 students of the Doha College Primary School as part of their environmental awareness program.

The students took part in a hands-on activities, in which they use the various equipment that are used in the case of an oil spill learned. They learned how to put together different sections of oil spill containment boom, which is useful for around, and with an oil leakage. They also set up and operated the skimmers, which are used for removing oil from water and the recovered oil then collected in a storage tank.

Oil spill with the Manager & Emergency Response on QP Ali Rajab Ashkanani said: "Qatar Petroleum agreements prime importance to the protection of the marine environment in all its activities, operations and we are very pleased to share with our students the knowledge and abilities in dealing with oil." He added, "it is very satisfying for us the strong interest of the students in what can be done to effectively oil spills. I am convinced that the demonstration has instilled in them the importance of protecting our marine environment. " The demonstration ended with a question-and-answer session in order that more information to the students about how to prepare QP is to go with the spills in the Qatari waters can.

The pupils and their teachers their appreciation to QP and the staff of the Oil-Spill & Emergency Response Department for the informative demonstration that strengthens their environmental awareness.

AP BAGHDAD Iraqi officials say two attacks in different parts of the country have five people killed and 25 wounded. A police officer says a parked car bomb ripped through a residential area on Wednesday in the town of Musayyib, killing three civilians and wounding 14. The city is about 60 kilometers (40 miles) South of Baghdad.

Another police officer said that a bomb targeted a restaurant in the town of Madain, killing two and wounding 11.

Madain is about 20 kilometers (14 miles) southeast of the Iraqi capital.

Two health officials confirmed the causality figures.

All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to talk to the media.

Iraqi civilians are frequent targets for insurgents want to shake confidence in the Government's efforts to maintain security.

This new series of attacks near Baghdad and North of the capital, in which five people were killed on Wednesday were the latest in a clear spike in Iraq violence only weeks before the first elections in three years.

Separate bomb attacks South of Baghdad — inside a restaurant and the other a car bombing near a checkpoint of a police killed two people and left 26 others injured, officials said.

They said three gun and bomb attacks in restive cities North of the capital two more people killed and two others injured.

The attacks come ahead of provincial elections scheduled for April 20, will take place in 12 of the 18 provinces of Iraq, the first polls of the country since a parliamentary vote in March 2010.

But questiones are asked about the credibility of these polls as elections in two provinces roiled with months of protests have delayed, and at least a dozen candidates have been killed, according to an AFP tally.

Although significantly lower than the peak in 2006 and 2007, is of violence still high in Iraq — at least 240 people have been killed in attacks this month, more than in February.

Meanwhile, in a new political development the UAE warned its citizens Wednesday not to travel to Iraq on hunting trips this season because of the insecurity in the country, State News Agency WAM reported.

"This measure is meant to ensure the security and protection of the citizens of the country," said senior Foreign Ministry official Abdullah bin Mohammed bin al-Hamed, Buti Emiratis, according to WAM.

Many Emirates hunters travel to Iraq in the spring of Sunni-majority Western Province of Anbar, the site of protests against Prime Minister Nuri al Maliki.

Others head to South Shiite populated cities.

Iraq's western regions have been rocked by a campaign against the Maliki Shia-dominated Government, while suicide attacks common in Baghdad despite a relative drop in violence across the country.

AFP DAMASCUS Syria President Bashar al Assad on Wednesday met with a Committee in charge of forging a political settlement of the country increasing conflict, State media said. "President Assad held a meeting with a Commission charged with setting up a program for a political solution to the crisis in Syria," said SANA Agency.

The Committee was created after Assad to dialogue with unarmed elements of the opposition, in a rare speech in January.

Wednesday's meeting with the Commission led by Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi, Assad "listened to its members discuss their recent work," SANA reported.

"He urged members of the Commission to step up their efforts and to focus on four main areas in the coming phase," he said.

SANA quoted Assad: the Commission must "... first of all the relations between the Committee of ministers and its branches in the provinces of enforcement. The Commission should work by holding "Advisory sessions and invite participation by different representatives of the Syrian people, lay the Foundation for a future national dialogue process," said Assad.

It must also be "to work out how the State should manage the dialogue between the sectors of Syrian society, and that all the provisions necessary for its success," he was quoted as saying.

In addition, the embattled Syrian leader said the Commission should "support for reconciliation that take place in different areas" of the country. Al Assad has said he welcomed dialogue with the opposition, said he calls is only possible with opponents with no ties to the rebellion broke out after the regime a brutal crackdown on dissent would be unleashed.

Earlier Assad regime lashed out against the Arab League on Wednesday for giving the opposition seat, Syria and said the group no longer has a role to play in resolving the crisis. "The decision by the Arab League on Tuesday has finally eliminated the to play a role in a solution to the crisis in Syria, because it is part of the problem instead of the solution," said a statement from the Government. "The Summit encouraged the use of violence, extremism and terrorism, which pose a danger not only for Syria, but also the entire Arab nation and the world," it added.

"The countries that play with fire by arming, funding, training and hosting of terrorists must know that they will not be untouched by the flames spread," the statement added. "The irresponsible acts of the Syrian Arab League seat ... give an illegal party and of using another flag instead of the Syrian flag are a clear violation of (its) Charter and the internal protocol," it added.

Syria was the membership of the Arab League in November 2011 in the midst of a government crackdown on dissent brutal regime suspended.

On Tuesday, the Green, black and white flag of the opposition was used on the Doha meeting instead of the traditional red, black and white flag of Syria.

Meanwhile, Assad called the BRIC countries (Brazil, China, India, Russia and South Africa) on Wednesday to help "stop the violence" in his country and an end to the suffering of his people he said is caused by international sanctions. "I request the BRICS leaders to work together to stop the violence in Syria immediately with a view to the success of a political solution," Assad said of the Group of emerging powers. "This requires clear international wants to dry out the terrorists, and to end its funding and their armament," said Assad in a letter to South African President Jacob Zuma.

"You, who strive to bring peace, security and justice in troubled world today, all your efforts on the end of the suffering of the Syrian people, which is caused by unjust economic sanctions against international law and which directly influence the life and the basic needs of our citizens," Assad added.

The BRICS group abstained from voting to a UN Security Council resolution that gave way to the military intervention in Libya in 2011. "I express to you the Syrian people desire to work with the BRIC countries as a just force that aims to peace, security and cooperation between the countries," Assad said in his letter.

AFP CAIRO AN EGYPTIAN Court on Wednesday rejected a decision by President Mohammed Mahalla to bag Prosecutor General Abdel Meguid Mahmoud and ordered his recovery, State media reported.

The ruling of the Court of appeal is the Presidency once more on a collision course with the judiciary, while the enforcement of the provisions, if any, remains locked in a legal maze.

Mahalakshmi fired Mahmud in November, in a decision that the President sweeping powers and placed its decisions beyond judicial review. Mahmud was replaced by the current Attorney General, Talaat Abdallah.

The decision was eventually withdrawn, under enormous pressure from the street, but the decisions arising from the were protected by the Constitution adopted in December.

Wednesday's ruling comes because the Court finds that acted outside its executive competence in Mahalla dismiss Mahmoud, but "it faces big obstacles," said Khaled Abubakr, a leading lawyer.

"There is a judicial decision that must be applied, but at the same time, there is a decree that is protected by the Constitution," he said.

The decision will intensify long-running tensions between the Presidency and the judiciary that Magyar accuses of interference in the independence. "The solution is for a higher court, such as the constitutional Supreme Court, on line on the crisis," said Abubakr.

"Legally speaking, we now have two generals of the Prosecutor," said Abubakr. Mahmoud itself, in a statement, said he had not yet decided on what action to take but was "happy with the ruling, which emphasizes that the independence of the judiciary." Mahalakshmi appointed current Prosecutor Abdallah in December in one of a number of decisions that sidelined judges, sparking a legal strike and mass rally by the Muslim president opponents. His actions triggered a nationwide protest with opposition called it a "coup" and the judges saying it was a direct attack on the independence of the judiciary.

Mahalakshmi the appointment of Abdullah as the new Ministry came after Talaat protracted talks by revolutionary groups to replace Mahmoud, considered as a remnant of the reign of the deposed President Hosni Mubarak. However, judges and rights groups said that Magyar violated the right to name of the new Ministry of the judges.

The opposition is now, removal of Mahalla Abdullah, criticize him for are beholden to the President and prosecuting activists critical of him.

In his case to the Court, the fired Prosecutor Mahmoud claimed that the country's highest prosecutor cannot be dismissed by the President, say the Mahalla decision "ignored the principle of the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary." Mahalakshmi Mahmoud fired in October initially but had to rescind his decision, because his Office is not competent to do so.

Then, in a widely criticized decision Mahalla decided that the Attorney General can serve in Office for only four years, with immediate effect on Mahmoud, who had held the post since 2006.

Mahalakshmi Mahmoud replaced by Talaat Abdullah, a right career and quickly swore him in. In the same Decree, granted immunity of judicial supervision of Mahalla themselves virtual, and also a panel charged with drawing up the Constitution of the country was faced with lawsuits shielded.

Mahalakshmi of aides at the time said his decisions were to "protect" the course of Egypt during the revolution against a judiciary packed with appointees of former President Hosni Mubarak.

Under the pressure of mass protests that followed, then revoked the Mahalla his own immunity, but reserve the new Ministry.

The new top Prosecutor Abdullah has protests from within the judiciary, with a large number of prosecutors and judges going on strike to oppose his appointment.

He briefly resigned, but later returned to his post.

However, have a number of prosecutors his return to the course in court, probably later this week in a separate case be ruled challenged.

DOHA QATAR charity (QC) has launched a project to make model villages to shelter displaced Syrians in Syria. The project is the first of its kind and 100 Syrian families on a total cost of more than 1.5 million QR will benefit.

DOHA, QATAR will soon be the first Arab country to join who International Agency for research on cancer (IARC), which consists of 30 members. World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Margaret Chan, revealed this on a recent visit to Qatar.

Dr Chan also said that an agreement was signed to a centre of excellence in Doha to check and non-communicable diseases.

They added that among the 23 Member States in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean region, Qatar one of the best countries in the area of health care.

Praise be to the development of the health sector in Qatar, saying: "I congratulate the people of Qatar on the major health care they enjoy and the size of the investments of the leadership in the health and education sectors to increase the standard of living of the citizens." She said that her visit to Qatar provides an important opportunity to discuss the cooperation between Qatar and the WHO on a number of areas.

One of the key areas of discussion was road safety and the prevention of injuries and fatalities from traffic accidents.

In this context, a group of experts from the WTO Doha soon to assess the efforts of the State and to conduct joint exercises in this area.

Meanwhile, who Director-General also discussed the possibility of opening an Office in the Qatar Science and Technology Park organization. She said that the WHO has received an invitation to open the Office, and the case still in its infancy and is studied.

"Qatar has a wise and courageous leadership and futuristic, not only with regard to the decision-making process, but also in the implementation of them," she said.

Dr Chan praised Qatar-Qatar National Vision 2030, making the man the Centre of the formulation of policy.

They also expressed admiration for the efforts of the Supreme Council of health, to improve health care in Qatar.

THOMAS P DINAPOLI AND BILL DE BLASIO | NYT SYNDICATE ON Tuesday the Senate Banking Committee gave a rousing show of support to Mary Jo White, President Barack Obama's choice to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission...

I'LL miss Carl Levin when he leaves the Senate after the next election – and you will, too. At 78, Levin has represented Michigan in the US Senate for 34 years. He has certainly earned the right to retire on his own terms.

THOMAS P. DINAPOLI AND BILL DE BLASIO | NYT SYNDICATE on the Senate Banking Committee Tuesday gave a rousing show of support to Mary Jo White, President Barack Obama's choice to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission ...

I will miss you Carl Levin when he leaves the Senate after the next election – and you will too. At 78, has Levin of Michigan in the u.s. Senate for 34 years represented. He certainly has earned the right to retire on his own terms.

THOMAS P. DINAPOLI AND BILL DE BLASIO | NYT SYNDICATE on the Senate Banking Committee Tuesday gave a rousing show of support to Mary Jo White, President Barack Obama's choice to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission ...

I will miss you Carl Levin when he leaves the Senate after the next election – and you will too. At 78, has Levin of Michigan in the u.s. Senate for 34 years represented. He certainly has earned the right to retire on his own terms.

THOMAS P. DINAPOLI AND BILL DE BLASIO | NYT SYNDICATE on the Senate Banking Committee Tuesday gave a rousing show of support to Mary Jo White, President Barack Obama's choice to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission ...

I will miss you Carl Levin when he leaves the Senate after the next election – and you will too. At 78, has Levin of Michigan in the u.s. Senate for 34 years represented. He certainly has earned the right to retire on his own terms.

THOMAS P. DINAPOLI AND BILL DE BLASIO | NYT SYNDICATE on the Senate Banking Committee Tuesday gave a rousing show of support to Mary Jo White, President Barack Obama's choice to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission ...

I will miss you Carl Levin when he leaves the Senate after the next election – and you will too. At 78, has Levin of Michigan in the u.s. Senate for 34 years represented. He certainly has earned the right to retire on his own terms.